FastMotoring Motor News In Speed

Today, BMW Group Malaysia introduced the all new BMW 320i, the latest iteration of the best-selling premium sports sedan in the world. Previously, the BMW F30 3-series is only available with 328i, 335i and 320d. Hence, the 320i is a new count to the latest generation of the 3-series.

Introducing the new sedans, Dr. Gerhard Pils, Managing Director of BMW Group Malaysia said, “The new BMW 320i underlines two key tenets that we at BMW Group Malaysia are offering to our valuable customers in the premium segment here – elegant luxury and sporty personality. The cars also further reinforce BMW’s position as the leader in the premium segment, highlighting exactly why the BMW 3 Series continues to be the most successful premium and sporty vehicle in the world.”

Dr. Pils added that since the introduction of the sixth generation of the BMW 3 Series in the country earlier this year, BMW has already delivered more than one thousand units of the model, making the BMW 3 Series one of the principal contributors to the premium carmaker’s current and continued success in Malaysia.

In engine offering, both the new BMW 320i Luxury and Sport Line now feature the newly accomplished BMW TwinPower Turbo 2.0-litre inline 4 petrol engine. Combined with twin-scroll turbocharger, Valvetronic, Double VANOS, High Precision Injection and equipped with the 8-speed automatic Steptronic transmission, the engine is capable of churning out an impressive 135kW / 184hp resulting in the all new BMW 320i achieving a 0-100km/h sprint of only 7.6 seconds.

Like its other contemporary BMW models, the new BMW 320i also features the latest BMW EfficientDynamics innovations such as Brake Energy Regeneration, the Auto Start/Stop function as well as the ECO PRO mode as part of its driving experience control options. These innovative offerings for efficiency results in the new sports sedan registering an impressive average fuel consumption reading of only 6 litres per 100km with CO2 emissions amounting to a mere 141 g/km, making the new BMW 3 Series the most efficient car in its class.

The new variants of the BMW 320i are also fitted with a host of features and equipment to exude the complete premium innovation experience that the BMW brand has to offer, be it behind the wheel or in the passenger seat. Both the new BMW 320i Luxury and Sport Line feature BMW Live and BMW TeleServices as a standard feature which are accessed through a 6.5” free-standing LCD panel and central BMW iDrive controller.

Additionally, BMW ConnectedDrive, the other innovation offering for in-car vehicle connectivity, provides owners with complete USB and Bluetooth connectivity to expand functionality for mobile phones and portable music players, on-board mobile office applications and on-board internet, making the experience with the new 320i, true Sheer Driving Pleasure.

In looks, the BMW Lines of Luxury and Sport sets the new BMW 3 Series apart – no BMW 320i is now identical. The distinctive design schemes of the cars are aimed to give the vehicle more personality with unmistakeable characteristics.

Already garnering several awards worldwide including the highly revered 2012 Red Dot Award for its design, the new BMW 3 Series Sedan fully embodies the core BMW values of sportiness, elegance and dynamics. Its exterior design displays sharp lines which demarcate the taut surfaces within typical BMW proportions. As a systematic evolution of the front design from earlier models, its headlights and kidney grille form a continuous visual unit. The main theme of the interior design, meanwhile, is “layering” – the interplay and offsetting of various layers to allow optimal access to all important functions.

The Luxury Line adds a classic taste to the sixth generation BMW 3 Series. The discreet high-gloss chrome elements of the kidney grille, air inlets and side window frames create a particularly elegant exterior for drivers favouring a rich look and feel whilst 17” style 414 multi-spoke light-alloy wheels complete the distinguished posh exterior personality of the vehicle. Meanwhile, classic colours with further chrome accents and fine wood-trim ‘Fineline’ anthracite and highlight trim finishers in Pearl Gloss further highlight comfort and lushness within the interior of the car.

On the other spectrum, the BMW 320i Sport Line’s distinctive exterior elements are the high-gloss black kidney grille, air inlets and tailpipe trim which underscore a more dynamic and athletic appeal. The car’s sporty character is further enhanced with the presence of 17” style 393 double-spoke light-alloy wheels. Interior wise, the characteristics of the Sport Line is further emphasized with the presence of sport seats and a sporty leather steering wheel with red contrast stitching. Further to this, subtle yet distinctive interior trim accents, seat details and a sporty instrument cluster design with trim finishers in Coral Red Matt further complements the cars sporty character.

The individual elements of the BMW Lines are perfectly matched to create a distinctive character that is simply unmistakeable. The availability of such design options creates a clear differentiation between the model series, enabling drivers to tailor their BMW 3 Series to their design preferences and personal lifestyle. Both BMW Lines are also designed with top quality materials and finishings rendered with precise detail to underline the BMW 3 Series ambience of premium and sporty luxury.

The new BMW 320i is also covered by BMW’s extensive service program, the BMW Service + Repair Inclusive (BS+RI) which covers the normal wear-and-tear repairs or replacements as well as maintenance, service and repair of factory components of the vehicle. The service program offers peace-of-mind BMW ownership and provides cover from 3 years from its original registration date or 60,000km whichever comes first.

The retail price (on the road, without insurance, with BMW Service + Repair Inclusive (BS+RI)) for the new BMW 320i Luxury Line or BMW 320i Sport Line is RM238,800.00 in Peninsular Malaysia. At the same time, you can also check out our previous article about All-new Sixth Generation BMW 3 Series Launched in Malaysia.

Photo Gallery: BMW 320i Sport & Luxury Line Malaysia

Today, BMW Group Malaysia introduced the latest edition of the world’s most successful premium sedan – the all new BMW 3 Series in Malaysia. It comes in three variants: BMW 320d, BMW 328i and BMW 335i.

“The BMW 3 Series is the best-selling sports sedan in the premium segment that there has ever been with well over 12 million units sold worldwide since the car’s creation in 1975. We are confident that the all new sixth Generation BMW 3 Series will continue to set a higher benchmark in automotive history!” said Mr. Geoffrey Briscoe, Managing Director of BMW Group Malaysia.

Briscoe further added that since its original inception, the BMW 3 Series has led the field in introducing the latest technological capabilities of the BMW Group and that the all new Sixth Generation model would be no different. The predecessor to the new car generated a total sales volume of 10,743 units during its tenure in Malaysia since 2006, 48% of the company’s total sales volume up to when it was discontinued earlier this year.

Briscoe added that the special status of the new BMW 3 Series is also now made even more exclusive with two new BMW Lines of Luxury and Sport which feature specific exterior and interior design as well as equipment elements that give the car unmistakable character and enabling owners to tailor their BMW 3 Series to their preferences and personal lifestyle.

The retail prices (On-The-Road, without insurance, with BMW Service + Repair Inclusive): 

> BMW 320d – RM 268,800

> BMW 328i – RM 309,800

> BMW 335i – RM 488,800

The all new BMW 3 Series now features the new BMW TwinPower Turbo 4-cylinder engines in the new BMW 320d and 328i. Based on the factory specs, the new turbocharged power plants deliver excellent fuel consumption and CO2 emission levels. The top of the range spectrum, the all new BMW 335i is attached with the award winning BMW in-line 6 cylinder petrol engine plus BMW TwinPower Turbo technology.

The all new BMW 320d which is set to re-excite drivers in the segment who seek best-in-class power and efficiency in a package that delivers exceptional driving dynamics and excitement showcases a turbocharged 2.0 litre capacity engine that is fitted with variable turbine geometry (VTG), ensuring that the engine’s turbo aspect ratio is maintained at optimum levels. The new diesel variant of the BMW 3 Series also features Common Rail direct injection capable of delivering an output of 135 kW/184 hp with an exceptional 380 Nm torque reading. This enables the new BMW 320d to sprint from 0-100 km/h in 7.6 seconds.

The all new BMW 328i is the replaccement for the former BMW 325i. The new premium compact sedan now features, for the first time, the new 4-cylinder 2.0 litre capacity BMW TwinPower Turbo petrol engine which is fitted with direct injection, Valvetronic and a TwinScroll turbocharger for an output of 180 kW/245 hp and a very respectable 350 Nm torque reading, allowing the car to reach the 0-100km/h sprint in 6.1 seconds.

The segment topping variant – the BMW 335i retains the exceptional 3.0-litre inline 6-cylinder petrol engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology, direct injection, Valvetronic and TwinScroll turbocharger for an exceptional output of 225 kW/306 hp and 400 Nm of torque, allowing it to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 5.5 seconds.

Now, all BMW 3 Series variants are further fitted with BMW’s revolutionary 8-speed automatic transmission, providing drivers with an exceptionally smooth driving experience with seemingly endless infusion of power whilst providing the efficiency to match that of a double-clutch transmission system. The new BMW 335i additionally features Variable Sport Steering, a speed-independent system which changes the steering ratio in line with steering angles. Incorporating a Servotronic function, the system reduces the steering wheel movement needed to achieve a particularly tight steering angle which in turn significantly enhances vehicle agility in tight corners and hairpin bends. For smaller steering angles, the system provides excellent directional stability and a very high degree of steering precision.

With fuel consumption readings of 6.3 l/100 km and 7.2 l/100km respectively, both the new BMW 328i and BMW 335i have a respective average EU fuel consumption rate which is 26% and 23% lower than that of their predecessors. The new BMW 320d, meanwhile, demonstrates an entirely new benchmark in efficiency altogether with fuel consumption levels of just 4.5 litres/100km. In terms of emission levels, the new BMW 320d, BMW 328i and BMW 335i generate CO2 emissions of a mere 118 g/km, 149 g/km and 169 g/km respectively.

An additional new feature being introduced with the Sixth Generation BMW 3 Series is the new intelligent ECO PRO engine management mode as standard. By activating the ECO PRO mode via the Driving Experience Control button, the car’s on-board computer slightly reduces the engines power delivery, air conditioning output as well as other non-essential electric comfort functions. ECO PRO tips shown on the Control Display further provide the driver with hints on how to lower fuel consumption while on the move. The resulting fuel savings from utilising ECO PRO are displayed as bonus kilometres added to the car’s range as well as the total journey’s fuel consumption. Studies by BMW have shown that drivers were able to enjoy fuel savings of up to 20% with the ECO PRO mode.

Like all contemporary BMW vehicles, the all new BMW 3 Series allows customers to fully benefit from the latest innovations in information technology through BMW ConnectedDrive. The full range of driver assistance systems and mobility services – a combination unrivalled in the premium segment of the Malaysian automotive industry is now taken to the next level with BMW ConnectedDrive Apps, an interface system which integrates the cars Video Playback and iPod Plug-In functions allowing customers to have direct access to web radio, Facebook and Twitter directly through their on-board Control Display. BMW ConnectedDrive Apps are enabled in the BMW 328i and the BMW 335i variants.

Specifically in the segment topping BMW 335i is the revolutionary full colour BMW Head-Up Display (HUD) system which projects important data onto the windscreen directly within the drivers’ field of vision much like the system used by jet pilots.

Photo Gallery: 2012 BMW 3 Series

Photo Gallery: 2012 BMW 3 Series Media Launching